Pakistan Plans Stricter Rules for Foreign Satellite Operators

Quick Summary

• Pakistan is delaying the launch of satellite-based internet services to formulate stricter regulations and attract more players into the sector.
• The delay follows the expiration of a temporary no-objection certificate (NOC) for Starlink in March 2025.
• New Satellite Communications Regulations, under advancement by the pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), aim to address security concerns highlighted by recent India-Pakistan and Iran-Israel conflicts.
• Two other low earth Orbit (LEO) operators, OneWeb and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), have expressed interest in entering Pakistan’s market alongside Starlink.
• Once registered, operators will need operational licenses from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
• Officials believe satellite internet services could launch by late 2025; Elon Musk may attend Starlink’s anticipated launch event.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The development of stricter satellite communication regulations in Pakistan marks a meaningful move toward modernizing its digital infrastructure while addressing national security concerns emerging from regional conflicts. For India, this demonstrates heightened attention to strategic technology applications within South Asia-an area historically intertwined with geopolitical sensitivities.Pakistan’s focus on diversifying providers beyond Starlink reflects an attempt to mitigate reliance on single entities while fostering competition-driven innovation in connectivity solutions. If prosperous, broader adoption of satellite-based internet could improve access to rural areas across both nations over time.

Though, delays in implementing such policies underscore bureaucratic challenges frequently enough faced by developing economies-a shared experience not unfamiliar to India’s own tech regulatory landscape.

Read more: The Hindu